By IANS,
New Delhi : Alarmed by the dwindling population of Olive Ridley Turtles in Orissa, the Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India has set up a temporary study camp at Ganjam district of the state to monitor their nesting, breeding and migration.
The forest department in Orissa has also taken several measures to protect the endangered sea turtles along Rushikulya, where mass nesting takes place, said a statement issued by the environment ministry Wednesday.
“The forest department has also established a forest camp to monitor and protect the turtles along Orissa coasts. The entire beach in Rushikulya are fenced to protect turtle nests from predators such as dogs, hyena and jackals,” it said.
There are three major nesting sites of Olive Ridley Turtle in Orissa — the Nasi Islands in Gahirmatha, the Devi river mouth and the Rushikulya river mouth. From January to March, half a million turtles nest here. A single female adult lays around 100-140 eggs at a time.